Cancer Stem Cell News Volume 1.00 | Dec 12 2012

Dclk1 Distinguishes between Tumor and Normal Stem Cells in the Intestine
Using lineage-tracing experiments, researchers showed that Dclk1 does not mark normal stem cells in the intestine but instead marks tumor stem cells (TSCs) that continuously produce tumor progeny in the polyps of Apc^Min/+ mice. Specific ablation of Dclk1-positive TSCs resulted in a marked regression of polyps without apparent damage to the normal intestine. [Nat Genet] Abstract | Press Release

PUBLICATIONS (Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Metastatic Colonization Requires the Repression of the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Inducer Prrx1
Scientists showed that the homeobox factor Prrx1 is an epithelial-mesenchymal transition inducer conferring migratory and invasive properties. The loss of Prrx1 is required for cancer cells to metastasize in vivo, which revert to the epithelial phenotype concomitant with the acquisition of stem cell properties. [Cancer Cell] Abstract

Nanoroughened Surfaces for Efficient Capture of Circulating Tumor Cells without Using Capture Antibodies
Researchers report a simple yet effective strategy for capturing circulating tumor cells without using capture antibodies. The method uniquely utilized the differential adhesion preference of cancer cells to nanorough surfaces when compared to normal blood cells and thus did not depend on their physical size or surface protein expression. [ACS Nano] Abstract | Press Release

Chromosome Instability Modulated by BMI1-AURKA Signaling Drives Progression in Head and Neck Cancer
Results link cancer stem cells, epithelial-mesenchymal transition and chromosomal instability through the BMI1-AURKA axis and suggest therapeutic utility from inhibiting Aurora A in head and neck cancers which overexpress BMI1. [Cancer Res] Abstract

Targeting Tumor-Infiltrating Macrophages Decreases Tumor-Initiating Cells, Relieves Immunosuppression and Improves Chemotherapeutic Response
Investigators demonstrated that targeting tumor-infiltrating macrophages and inflammatory monocytes by inhibiting either the myeloid cell receptors CSF1R or CCR2 decreases the number of tumor-initiating cells in pancreatic tumors. Targeting CCR2 or CSF1R improves chemotherapeutic efficacy, inhibits metastasis and increases antitumor T-cell responses. [Cancer Res] Abstract

TGF-β1 Signal Is Crucial for De-Differentiation of Cancer Cells to Cancer Stem Cells in Osteosarcoma
Researchers found that TGF-β1 signaling and a hypoxic environment dramatically induced self-renewal capacity in non-stem osteosarcoma cells, which in turn promoted chemo-resistance, tumorigenicity, neovasculogenesis and metastatic potential. Furthermore, blocking the TGF-β1 signaling pathway resulted in the inhibition of the de-differentiation and clonogenicity of osteosarcoma cells, and the reduction of cancer stem cell self-renewal capacity and hypoxia-mediated de-differentiation. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Intravital Imaging of Cancer Stem Cell Plasticity in Mammary Tumors
By intravital lineage tracing, researchers report for the first time the existence of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in unperturbed mammary tumors and demonstrate CSC plasticity. The data indicate that existing CSCs disappear and new CSCs form during mammary tumor growth, illustrating the dynamic nature of these cells. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Targeting Carbonic Anhydrase IX Depletes Breast Cancer Stem Cells within the Hypoxic Niche
The authors demonstrated that inhibition of Carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX) expression or activity with novel small-molecule inhibitors in breast cancer cell lines, or in primary metastatic breast cancer cells, results in the inhibition of breast cancer stem cell expansion in hypoxia. They identified the mTORC1 axis as a critical pathway downstream of CAIX in the regulation of cancer stem cell function. [Oncogene] Abstract

Resistance to Fluid Shear Stress Is a Conserved Biophysical Property of Malignant Cells
A longstanding view is that circulating cancer cells derived from solid tissues may be susceptible to damage from hemodynamic shear forces, contributing to metastatic inefficiency. Here researchers report that compared to non-transformed epithelial cells, transformed cells are remarkably resistant to fluid shear stress (FSS) in a microfluidic protocol, exhibiting a biphasic decrease in viability when subjected to a series of millisecond pulses of high FSS. [PLoS One] Full Article | Press Release

Spheroid Body-Forming Cells in the Human Gastric Cancer Cell Line MKN-45 Possess Cancer Stem Cell Properties
The authors enriched gastric cancer stem cells through spheroid body formation by cultivating the human gastric cancer cell line MKN-45 in defined serum-free medium. The stemness characteristics of spheroid body-forming cells, including self-renewal, proliferation, chemoresistance, tumorigenicity of the MKN-45 spheroid body-forming cells were evaluated, and the expression levels of stemness genes and related proteins in the MKN-45 spheroid body-forming cells were assessed. [Int J Oncol]
Abstract | Download Full Article

Linking DNA Methyltransferases to Epigenetic Marks and Nucleosome Structure Genome-Wide in Human Tumor Cells
To elucidate how DNA methylation is targeted, researchers mapped the genome-wide localization of all DNA methyltransferases and methylation, and examined the relationships among these markers, histone modifications, and nucleosome structure in a pluripotent human tumor cell line in its undifferentiated and differentiated states. [Cell Rep] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Cancer Stem Cells: The ‘Heartbeat’ of Gastric Cancer
This review focuses on the progress of biomarkers and signaling pathways of cancer stem cells (CSCs), the complex crosstalk networks between the microenvironment and CSCs, and the development of therapeutic approaches against CSCs, predominantly focusing on gastric cancer. [J Gastroenterol] Abstract

Scientists Target DNA Repair to Eradicate Leukemia Stem Cells
In a series of experiments in mice with cancer and in cancer cells, researchers have shown that they can block the process by which leukemia stem cells repair themselves by targeting a particular protein, RAD52, which the cells depend on to fix genetic mistakes. The findings may lead to a new strategy to help overcome drug resistance that hinges on cancer stem cells gone awry. [Press release from Temple University Health System, Inc. discussing research presented at the 54^th American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting, Atlanta] Press Release

Hitting Cancer at Its Core: Eyes Focused on Reparixin, a Drug Fruit of Dompé’s Research, with Action Aimed at Breast Cancer Stem Cells
The status of a clinical trial to evaluate Reparixin safety and pharmacokinetic profile, administered orally in combination with paclitaxel in women with metastatic breast cancer was presented. The discovery of the potential of Reparixin in the treatment of Cancer Stem Cells was contributed by the director of the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Prof Max Wicha. [Press release from Business Wire discussing research presented at the 34th CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, San Antonio]
Press Release

SU2C and CRI Announce New Immunology Translational Research Dream Team
Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) and the Cancer Research Institute (CRI) announced the formation of a Dream Team project dedicated to cancer immunology – “Immunologic Checkpoint Blockade and Adoptive Cell Transfer in Cancer Therapy.” [Stand Up To Cancer] Press Release

Tekmira Acquires Worldwide License to Novel RNAi Technology
Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corporation announced that it has obtained a worldwide, non-exclusive license to a novel RNA interference (RNAi) payload technology called Unlocked Nucleobase Analog from Marina Biotech, Inc. for the development of RNAi therapeutics. [Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corporation] Press Release

The Breast Cancer Research Foundation^® Announces First Grant from Newly Established Evelyn H. Lauder Founder’s Fund to Exceed $8 Million
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation announced plans for the first grant made from the newly established Evelyn H. Lauder Founder’s Fund, created in memory of its late chairman. More than $8 million will support a large multi-institutional, international research project, to be carried out over two to three years, that will have implications for the management of not only breast cancer, but other types of cancer as well. [The Breast Cancer Research Foundation] Press Release

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NEW Second ESH-EHA Scientific Workshop on Leukemic and Cancer Stem Cells: Malignant Stem Cells and Their Microenvironment
April 25-27, 2013
Mandelieu, France

Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the cancer stem cell community.

Product Quality Scientist (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Scientist – Endothelial Cell Research (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Research Technologist – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Scientist or Engineer – hPSC Bioengineer (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Principal Investigators – Cancer Research (Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal)


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